Looking forward to meet PM Netanyahu, consolidate enduring bonds: PM Modi ahead of Israel visit
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism, and he is looking forward to his discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The prime minister is due to leave for Israel on on Wednesday on a two-day visit.
Before embarking, Modi said he was confident that his visit would further consolidate the "enduring bonds" between India and Israel, set new goals for the strategic partnership, and advance the countries' shared vision for a resilient, innovative, and prosperous future.
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Modi said the visit comes at the invitation of his "dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu."
"I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management... defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties," he said in his departure statement.
The prime minister said the two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
During the visit, Modi will meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
"I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations," he said.
Modi said he is looking forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have long been nurturing the India-Israel friendship.
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Sri Rama Sene’s Ugadi wishes banner featuring PM Modi, Netanyahu in Belagavi goes viral, sparks row
Banner put up in response to earlier banners condemning killing of Khamenei in the city
A banner allegedly erected by Sri Rama Sene’s Belagavi unit, featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has drawn criticism amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The banner featured an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and also included a depiction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the killing of Afzal Khan.
The development comes at a time when the Strait of Hormuz is blocked and LPG shortages are being reported across several sectors in the country.
The banners were reportedly placed at Samrat Ashoka Circle in the city.
Several users on the social media platform ‘X’ criticised the poster.
Sriram Sena puts up Netanyahu banners in Belagavi opposing Khamenei posters pic.twitter.com/y5b8kGe09O
— All About Belgaum | Belagavi News (@allaboutbelgaum) March 16, 2026
One user wrote, “Does Sena know he has been convicted by the International Criminal Court?”
“If Iran learns about this, then you're done for,” another user said.
According to reports, the banners were erected in opposition to banners condemning the killing of Ali Khamenei that had appeared earlier in the city.
In an ‘X’ post, Sri Rama Sene Founder Pramod Muttalik, stated, “there was a call to remove the photo of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei in Belgaum. However, since the corporation did not remove it, today Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is depicted as disemboweling Afzal Khan, and banners of the Israeli president and Modi were put up.”
ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯಲ್ಲಿನ ಇರಾನ ಸರ್ವಾದಿಕಾರಿ ಖಮೇನಿ ಪೊಟೋ ತೆರವುಗಳಿಸಲು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾರ್ಪೊರೆಷನ ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸದ ಕಾರಣ ಇಂದು ಛತ್ರಪತಿಶಿವಾಜಿಮಹಾರಾಜರು ಅಫ್ಜಲ್ ಖಾನನ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ಹರಿದಿದ್ದು ಮತ್ತು ಇಸ್ರೆಲ ಅದ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಮತ್ತು ಮೋದಿ ಅವರಬ್ಯಾನರ ಹಾಕಲಾಯಿತು #Netanyahu #chhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj #Belgaum #PramodMutalik pic.twitter.com/GUlHv2QadU
— Pramod Mutalik Official (@PramodMuta39880) March 16, 2026
Meanwhile local reports suggest that such banners were placed in different parts of the city including RTO circle and Killa Circle.
When Varta Bharathi contacted Belagavi City Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, for a comment, he refused to comment on the matter.
